Just because temperatures aren’t ideal for breaking ground doesn’t mean you should lose sight of your next building project – particularly if improvements could be made indoors. If anything, the wintertime offers great promise when it comes to visualizing and planning improvements to internal spaces. Some areas of construction have been slower, but more than a few are hot for renovations.
1. Upgrade Your Space to Address Practical & Organizational Needs
When relocating isn’t an option, renovations can address upgrades you’ve been putting off and create the look and feel of a completely new commercial interior. Your plans should align with your organizational needs if you are in one of the non-residential areas that the Association of General Contractors of America says has seen growth in renovations over the last year:
- Educational facilities (15%)
- Retail renovations (10%)
- Hospitals and medical facilities (8%)
- Office and data centers (5%)
- Non-residential overall (12%)
2. Modernize Outdated Areas, Starting with Most Needed Upgrades
Even the finest architectural specimens will eventually wither in some areas internally. Those mellow earth tones and laminate flooring can make tenants and clients feel like they’re stuck in the 1970s and 80s. Even if your space is relatively modern, take a personal tour of your building and look for spots that may have been overlooked. Carpeting eventually has to be replaced. Any wood that is exposed to humidity may need attention. Electrical systems experience wear and tear unseen and should be examined with building safety in mind.
Finding a contractor with demonstrated expertise in all of these areas means you don’t have to go looking for multiple partners.
3. Rethink What Office Layout Will Work Best for You
Another thing to keep in mind is that what we consider modern is always changing. Nowhere is this more apparent than in contemporary office spaces, which seem to change directions at least once a decade. In a short span of time, office environments have evolved from cubicle culture to the complete opposite – wide open spaces with fluorescent lighting and little privacy.
While today’s organizations still tend to prefer a more open floor plan, there are more ways than before to achieve that goal. Depending on the square footage available, it may require rethinking your layout and tearing down some walls. Before you plan your renovations, take a broader look at your operations and where foot traffic should be encouraged. Maybe your design should encourage more cross-departmental communication or easier access to certain entrances and exits. A design-build company with a history of corporate renovations will help you explore the best options for you.
4. Include Communal Spaces That Address Hybrid Work Trends
In today’s world, renovations need to follow social trends as well as business ones. Company leaders who are always off site or on calls can forget about the community that exists outside of their office walls. Some companies are continuing to look for ways to lure workers back more days a week. In some cases, shared office spaces are replacing traditionals ones to address an increasingly flexible work climate. Renovations can help you resolve these kinds of issues, and it’s something to keep in mind during any redesigns.
5. Incorporate Adaptive Technology Throughout Your Building
Finally, renovations of any kind are an opportunity to install technology that will improve work conditions and help you scale as you grow. Consider anything that can help create a more appealing indoor environment, encourage efficiency and allow you to adapt to future changes. To give you an idea of what this might include:
- Mobile fixtures and furniture
- Lighting and windows that adjust automatically
- Multipurpose rooms and spaces
- Wider, more accessible doors and hallways
- Updated security and electronics
Chicago-Based W. A. RANDOLPH, INC., Can Oversee Your Entire Renovation Project
W. A. RANDOLPH, INC., takes a highly collaborative approach with clients. We make it our utmost priority that our solutions incorporate the right aesthetics to complement your brand and other elements that will match your needs. Call W. A. RANDOLPH, INC. for a free consultation on a high-quality, cost-efficient solution.
